Archived News for Professionals in Federal Government - October, 2012
The Australian Parliament has passed a motion to establish a 12 member Joint Select Committee charged with considering constitutional recognition of local government in the country.
SACS pay rise passes Parliament
The Federal Government has hailed the passage of legislation through Parliament that locks in equal pay increases for 150,000 social and community services (SACS) workers.
ABS releases labour force census data
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released new data from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing, showing that Australia’s total labour force of people aged 15 years and over consisted of 10,658,458 people as of August last year.
ABS releases occupation census data
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released new census data outlining the nature of the country’s workforce.
Aussie kids healthy, but room for improvement finds AIHW
The majority of Australian children are faring well in terms of health, but there is room for improvement for some, according to a new report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Australia Post launches Digital Mailbox
Australia Post has launched its Digital MailBox service, allowing customers to receive and pay bills, communicate with their providers and store important documents such as passports and birth certificates.
Energy efficiency grants open
The Federal Government has announced new funding rounds for three energy efficiency grants have now opened in a bid to drive smarter energy use in business, local government, households and communities.
Government announces Riverland support
The Federal Government has announced additional funding for water projects and industry support in the Riverland area of South Australia.
Murray amendments pass lower house
The Federal Government’s amendments to the Water Act which set the provision for an additional 450 gigalitres of environmental flow for the Murray-Darling, have passed the house of representatives.
Sexual harassment rife as progress stalls
Sexual harassment rates in the workplace have reached an all time high, with progress in combating it stalling, according to a new report released by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
Synchrotron deal signed
The Federal and Victorian Governments have announced an agreement that will see the Australian Synchrotron come under the authority of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
Weatherill ups ante on Murray action
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has announced he will personally campaign in the electorates of Federal MP’s who ‘don’t put their State first’ and support the Federal Government’s amended Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
CCA releases renewable energy target paper
The Climate Change Authority has released its long awaited discussion paper reviewing the Renewable Energy Target (RET), outlining a number of key recommendations based on the response from the issues paper released in August.
Government releases Asian Century white paper
The Federal Government has released its long awaited Asian Century White Paper, detailing a roadmap for how the country can flourish in the Asian century.
New alliance forms against energy prices
A new alliance of business groups, consumer advocates and charities has formed to ‘fix a broken system’ that has seen electricity prices increase by over 50 per cent over the last five years.
NT introduces rail safety reform
The Northern Territory Government has introduced the Rail Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Bill 2012 before Territory Parliament, which, if passed, will allow for the creation of a single regulatory body to preside over rail safety.
Spending booming finds Commbank
Economy wide spending has recorded its largest monthly increase in four and a half years according to the latest Business Sales Indicator (BSI) report released by the Commonwealth Bank.
Government announces more Murray money
The Federal Government has announced a further $1.7 billion in funding to deliver an additional 450 gigalitres of environmental flow for the Murray-Darling Basin.
Gillard confirms foreign land ownership register
In a speech to the National Farmer’s Federation National Congress, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confirmed that the Government will implement a foreign land ownership registry.
Government announces $400 million for TTCs
The Federal Government has announced an extra $400 million will be made available for trade training Centres (TTCs) in schools under Round Five of the national program.
ACCC weighs in on energy debate
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Chairman, Rod Simms, has called for focus in the country’s ongoing energy reform debate, saying it must address the ‘real drivers of the unnecessary electricity price increases’ in Australia.